“Are you ready?” he sounded a bit nervous.
“Yes but before you shift, is there anything I need to know, like what to do and what not to do?”
“Just don’t pull his tail.” They both started laughing and the tension that has once filled the room vanished.
She noticed his hands as they began to grow long sharp claws, then the black silky fur sprouted out all over his body. She jumped back when the panther in front of her roared and started to move towards her.
Slowly the beautiful beast moved toward where she was sitting and he placed his head in her lap. She instantly looked around to find Ray for help but then she realized Ray was this creature that has placed his wellbeing in her hands.
She softly petted his head between his ears. She swore she heard him purr. “You are a beautiful cat, so sleek and soft. She patted the sofa next to her and said would you be willing to cuddle? “
The panther jumped on the sofa, taking all the room that she wasn’t occupying and scooted to the back of the sofa. She leaned to her side, resting her head on his back behind his head.
“I want to make a promise to you, if Ray will have me I want to be here to comfort and take care of both of you. Would you like to have some down time occasionally and just cuddle or play? I bet you get tired being trapped in Ray’s body all the time.”
The panther rolled on his back forcing her to move her head. With his giant front paws, he grabbed her arm and brought it to his mouth. She wasn’t afraid because she knew this was a part of Ray.
“You are such a good guy, I think I am falling in love with you already.” She praised the panther.
Suddenly the panther rolled to the floor and before Augusta knew what was happening, Ray stood in front of her in his naked beauty.
“That was beyond belief. Thank you Ray.”
“You are beyond belief. No one has ever been as gentle with him as you were. Usually he scares the shit out of people and they run from us.” Ray sounded like the fact in his statement made him sad.
Augusta tooka sip of wine and looked away, trying to get herself under control. She swore to herself that she would not fall for another guy like the last one, and most likely, she was confusing gratitude for affection.
Chapter12
Augusta
Even as she told herself to back away, Augusta found herself leaning in so she could gaze even deeper into Ray’s eyes. She was completely enchanted by their depths, as if she couldn’t truly know him until she explored the farthest reaches of his soul.
Ray paused, his words disappearing as he stared at her. It was a good thing because she couldn’t remember what they’d been talking about.
His hand dropped onto her thigh, and it felt so warm that it could burn right through her clothes. Anticipation rose in her, almost feeling like fear. Augusta didn’t move.
His hand on her leg felt nice, maybe more than nice. She blinked, licking her lips as she turned from him. The intensity on Ray’s face was more than she could take.
What am I doing?
When she looked back, he hadn’t moved. His hand still rested gently on her thigh, and his eyes seemed even bigger and more intense.
Even though she fought it, arousal flooded her with the force of an out-of-control train. It was as if her breath was caught in her chest, her heart hammering against the cage of bones like a trapped bird. She was getting lightheaded and maybe even dizzy.
Take a damn breath.
Augusta obeyed her inner voice, easing a long draught of air through her lungs and back out her nose. To her dismay, the excitement tingling in her veins did not subside, and her head swam even more.
Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, Ray leaned forward. She froze. Like a white bunny on an alpine field, she stayed utterly still, knowing the whole time she was ridiculously exposed and about to become prey.
I don’t mind if he eats me. Not at all.
Ray’s lips touched hers, and a soft cry rose in her throat, a desperate sound of pleasure and longing. Ray moaned in response, leaning in farther to press his lips against hers. Augusta reached out and slipped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him forward as she fell into the kiss.
Just before she pulled him on top of her, Ray paused. The steadily rising beat of her heart and the rush of her blood, paused as if frozen in time, and the interruption rang through her like an echo of pain.
“What?” she muttered.